Is it time the clock really started ticking?

[The Birdman]

Have a word with yourself. If Xabi was to come back to England, which I doubt, it would only be for us.

No chance, why do you think that?
Do you honestly think any footballer, let alone Alonso who was only here for 3 years would turn down twice as much money as we would offer, turn down playing in better teams challenging in the CL to have a few years as part of our 'project' trying to get us back into the top 4.

This reverence of Alonso bemuses me, he was average for at least half his time here and handed in a written transfer request yet he's treated like god.
As a comparison Torres was here a similar length of time, performed much better over that period of time, handed in a written transfer request and is slagged off.

Absolutely no chance of us re-signing Alonso.

[dww]

I agree with Arn. He got us very close once. If he had been able to build the squad a bit more, the players would have more experience of competing at the very top, he would have learned from his mistakes, then I have no doubt he'd have won us the title.

His signings towards the end were also dictated by the financial constraints. It wasn't just short-term thinking, it was the best we could get. The only way we were sure to improve the first team from where he got us was by competing for the very best players, i.e. buying £30m players. We couldn't do that so he took risks on players with the requisite talent but who cost less because of dodgy injury records, etc. And the risks didn't work out.

Hicks and Gillett fatally compromised Benitez's time at Liverpool, it's absolutely clearcut for me.

[Corndog]

Buying Carroll downing and hendo was not following the moneyball strategy, which is to use stat analysis to find 'hidden value' in undervalued players.

Clearly we over paid the fair mkt value for all 3. Imo Those signings were made because dalglish thought that buying a striker with great heading ability would be complemented by signing a winger who put in the most crosses in the league and hence result in loads of goals. It was a nice idea in theory but obviously not in practice

[Gibbo]

None of our signings have been moneyball IMO.

The only one you could possibly argue has been is Assaidi.

If we are going to improve we need a mixture of players for the future and players for now. If we only go for "potential" we could end up **** creek without a paddle.

I've no problem with us buying lads for the future. But signing like Sturridge are what we should be looking at for now.

[Mattshark]

Matt, we so totally did go down the moneyball route and we ****ed it up. Of course we thought those players would have 'decent' resale value due to their ages mainly and the fact they are British. What a bunch of ****s we made ourselves look like.

I can't agree in what way do Downing, Carroll and Henderson (both because of price) and Adam fit moneyball? We just bought badly, moneyball never came into it. These where not even players who were statistically good. They do not fit the model in any way, moneyball was just so often last season to excuse Kenny's failings in the transfer market. We have certainly never used it as our transfer model.

[Tee]

OK, Carroll apart I can make a case as to how the others were moneyball signings. But I won't - can't be arsed now....maybe later in the day.

[Sarb]

OK, Carroll apart I can make a case as to how the others were moneyball signings. But I won't - can't be arsed now....maybe later in the day.

How would Downing be classed as moneyball? There is no way he was. 28 years odd and minimal resale value. He was bought because Kenny wanted him and for a hell of a lot of money.

[elrichio86]

Suarez is probably the only one of our recent signings who could be described as moneyball. Because of his reputation as a trouble maker the bigger clubs were avoiding him, and so we were able to get him at less than his true value. IMO

[Tee]

How would Downing be classed as moneyball? There is no way he was. 28 years odd and minimal resale value. He was bought because Kenny wanted him and for a hell of a lot of money.

Have you seen the film Moneyball? Interesting take on players ages. It is not a critical factor as some may think in moneyball.

[Arn]

Well, I think that FSG was trying to copy what they did at Red Sox.

Improved sponsorships very much.
Throw money around the first year to build up the squad.
Improve the current stadium instead of building a new one.
After the throwing money around bit buy young players.

It worked a few years but it crashed after that.

[Neil Young]

So you're saying they've learned from their mistakes there and for us have opted against the fleeting early success? Makes sense.

[fah-q]

Not sure people really understand the ideas of Moneyball tbh.

David Justice for example was well into his 30's when he was traded to the Oakland A's in 2001. He was undervalued due to age and injury but proved to be a valuable asset during his time there.

[Sarb]

I think the best thing for owners and managers, as well as players to do would be to take a vow of silence. Never say a single thing in public, be it about money, stadium, players, ambitions etc. Whatever they say will always be misrepresented or misinterpreted and used as a stick to whoop their arses with

Personally, I couldn't give a flying fcuk about moneyball or no moneyball. FSG have shown plenty ambition in the funds provided to Kenny and Brendan. To an extent, been let down by people who should know better

[~LFCHistory~]

No chance, why do you think that?
Do you honestly think any footballer, let alone Alonso who was only here for 3 years would turn down twice as much money as we would offer, turn down playing in better teams challenging in the CL to have a few years as part of our 'project' trying to get us back into the top 4.

This reverence of Alonso bemuses me, he was average for at least half his time here and handed in a written transfer request yet he's treated like god.
As a comparison Torres was here a similar length of time, performed much better over that period of time, handed in a written transfer request and is slagged off.

Absolutely no chance of us re-signing Alonso.

WUM

[Neil Young]

I don't know, I think he makes a fair point about the double standards. Many people's views on the two seem so polarised but maybe that's just the way things come across.